Jennifer Ireland

If you ask a tech pro to describe a work environment that makes them happy, a cubicle is not likely the answer they are going to provide. Often, traditional workplaces are plagued by interruptions and distractions, making it hard to focus on detail-oriented tasks. If you add in issues like frequent, and often spontaneous, meetings, it is no surprise that many IT workers would prefer to work remotely.

Plus, remote work makes goals like work-life balance and flexibility easier to manage. Since many tech professionals have the technical skills necessary to connect remotely and handle their tasks, they are also well-suited to the demands associated with telecommuting, which can make it more enticing.

If you are wondering why tech pros are happier with remote work, here are some key insights.

For many, the technology field is incredibly enticing. However, if you do not have a Bachelor’s degree, you may assume that there are not many options you can explore. In reality, you may just need to take a look at a “new collar” job if you want to make the leap into tech without formal education.

The C programming language can easily be viewed as an anomaly. Unlike some languages, it has really stood the test of time, remaining relevant after more than 45 years. Plus, C is consistently popular, with many developers still enjoying the language to this day.

However, even with its longevity, that does not mean C does not experience change. With that in mind, here is what you need to know about the C programming language this year.

C18: The New Standard

In late 2018, a new C standard was ratified. Labeled C18, the updated standard is not necessarily something that is dramatically different from prior versions. Instead, it includes more fixes, essentially functioning as more of a continuation of C17 than anything else. In fact, there hasn’t been a significant change to C since C11, where multi-threading support, variable length arrays, anonymous structures and unions, along with a few other differences became official.

By and large, only compiler writers who have a desire to be 100 percent conformant will need to take a deep dive into C18. Nearly everyone else will be able to continue per the usual.

C Remains the Common Language

C is still considered the lowest-level portable language. As a result, many compilers still output C source code, and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Since C is considered a common language, its long-term use is still supported by the community. While C++ has made some headway in recent years, including for open-source compilers, C++ code is usually a bit larger than if C is used. Code size can be important, particularly when it comes to IoT and the use of microcontrollers, allowing C to actually gain market share between 2005 and 2018.

Programmers Support C

While most programmers do not learn C as their first language, C is incredibly popular as a second or third language to pick up. Additionally, it is a functional stepping stone for learning C++, which is technically a superset of C, thanks to how easy C is to pick up by comparison.

As a result, most programmers support using C professionally. This increases the likelihood that they will consider it as a viable option for a variety of projects, as enjoyment and prevalence can play a role. Additionally, it is still encountered by programmers on a regular basis, keeping it highly relevant for them and increasing the odds that they will add it to their repertoire if they do not know C already.

Ultimately, while options like Go and Rust are increasing in popularity and, at times, are considered more modern and better alternatives, C is so integrated into the world of technology that the likelihood it will fade into obscurity remains very slim. C is as much a part of the past as it is the future, and programmers from around the world are not inclined to see that change.

Looking to Brush Up on Your Skills? Contact the Experts at The Armada Group!

If you would like to know more about the C programming language, the team at The Armada Group can help. Contact us to speak with a member of our skilled team today and see how our programming trends expertise can benefit you.

Many of the best IT project managers on the planet share certain traits. Usually, this is expressed as a set of habits, all of them honed to help increase their odds of success in their roles.

By working to make these habits part of your reality, you can thrive in most IT project manager roles. Here are the ones that should be on every current or aspiring project manager’s radar.

Dedication to the Process

Today, nearly every project is governed by a methodology. These provide clear steps to make sure a project is a success, ensuring that critical points are not overlooked and that everything is addressed in an ideal order or at the proper time.

Leading project managers understand that following the process is important; so much so that the majority make it a habit. Now, this does not mean that an approach cannot be adapted based on the project at hand. Instead, it is the automatic urge to use that process as a framework, and a desire only to deviate when the situation actually demands it.

Acting with Integrity at All Times

For the best IT project managers, integrity is a core part of their personality. They never hesitate to be honest when working with their team and strive to be fair at all times.

Without integrity, even the most skilled project team may struggle. A lack of trust can be incredibly damaging to a group’s dynamic, leading to increased levels of conflict, more misunderstanding, and even rising error numbers – all of which can lead to a project’s failure.

If integrity is not a habit, becoming a leading project manager will be incredibly challenging, so it is wise to make it a focus early in one’s career.

Preparation is a Priority

If a project is going to be a success, it needs a strong foundation. Preparation is the key to creating a winning environment, ensuring risk is properly examined, contingency plans are at the ready, and all necessary information is gathered before any work begins.

Neglecting the preparation phase of a project increases the odds of failure. While this does not mean you have to focus entirely on the minutia before getting started, it does mean having all of your proverbial ducks in a row as early in the process as possible.

By embracing the habits above, you can increase your odds of becoming one of the best IT project managers around. Not only can this help you build a strong and lucrative career, but it is also intrinsically rewarding, as your success rate could skyrocket.

Looking for a New Project Manager Role? Contact The Armada Group!

If you would like to learn more about what it takes to thrive as a project manager or are seeking out new opportunities, the team at The Armada Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members today and see how our project management expertise can benefit you.

At the beginning of the year, companies around the country plan for their technology spending. With so many emerging technologies grabbing headlines as of late, understanding which trends will likely provide your customers with the most benefit is critical, allowing you to make better decisions about spending.

Similarly, tech professionals can benefit from the knowledge as well. By learning about how the consumer markets are shifting, they can acquire skills that align with these trends, positioning themselves for a more lucrative career.

If you are wondering how the newest tech trends will impact consumer markets, here’s what you need to know.

Home Automation Makes Headway

Home automation is poised to make significant strides over the coming years. Currently, the market is filled with niche products, such as monitoring devices and smart lights. However, the call for simplification and integration is only getting louder, especially as more consumer buy into the concept in general.

People often embrace technology that has the potential to make their lives simpler or will help them save money. Since home automation can possibly do both, this is a trend with staying power.

Augmented Reality Meets Mobile Computing

Both augmented reality (AR) and mobile computing can be powerful. However, as the two come together, the potential to reshape work and life experiences as well as enhance productivity only grow.

By giving users the ability to see informational overlays placed onto the real-world, the possibility of real value is clear. Similarly, being able to visualize structural changes or products in the actual space where it will be placed could be a gamechanger for a wide array of industries.

Blockchain

While most people associate blockchain with Bitcoin, the technology is much more than just the power behind a cryptocurrency. Blockchain has the capacity to revolutionize several consumer markets, particularly in areas like banking, accounting, finance, insurance, and even healthcare.

Consumer-Facing AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making waves for years, and many still consider the technology to be in its infancy. Some of the more recent developments have focused on the power of consumer-facing AI, such as chatbots for customer service, giving customers the ability to get answers to common questions quickly. or voice analysis for incoming calls, allowing customer service representatives to receive call handling tips based on the system’s interpretation of the caller’s mood.

The potential for leveraging AI to improve customer interactions is there, especially as AI’s natural language processing capabilities become more robust. Precisely where it will go is still somewhat of a mystery, but no one is questioning whether there will be an impact on the consumer market.

Are You Looking for the Most Talented Tech Professionals? Contact The Armada Group!

In the end, all of the tech trends above will have a massive impact on the consumer market, so they should remain on everyone’s watchlist. If you would like to know more, the team at The Armada Group can help. Contact us with your questions today and see how our tech trends expertise can benefit you.

Nearly every professional faces off against the occasional workplace crisis. At times, problems are going to arise; that’s just the nature of life. And, usually, the situations themselves are short-lived, ultimately not being nearly as problematic as they appeared to be on the surface.

But, if you feel like you are constantly putting out fires at work or that every issue is an unmitigated disaster, then something else may be the source of your troubles: you. Whether it is how you perceive the situations or the ways your choices influence your day, your habits play a critical role in your experience.

If you spend your day moving from one crisis to the next, here are some potential causes and what to do about them.

Procrastination is Your Middle Name

Waiting until the last minute to handle a task without just cause is a recipe for panic. By the time the deadline draws near, you aren’t sufficiently prepared and have to get the work handled while under the additional stress you put on yourself.

If you have a project coming up or a due date you need to adhere to, avoid procrastinating by scheduling various steps as firm appointments in your calendar. Brainstorm the entire process and then give each milestone an appointment, dedicating enough time to ensure it is complete. Make sure that the final deadline is actually before the due date. That way, if you run into trouble, you have an extra day or two to work through it.

Lack of Focus (or a Lack of Notes)

When you’re in the middle of a meeting that doesn’t have much to do with you, tuning out is a common reaction. However, not being present may mean you miss vital details that do connect to your work, and that comes with consequences.

Similarly, even if you are paying attention, failing to record critical information is a mistake. In the future, you may remember that you heard something relevant, but can’t recall what it is. Then, you’re stuck scrambling to figure out exactly what slipped your mind.

Luckily, both of these situations can be avoided with ease. When you are in a meeting, give the speaker your full attention. Silence your smartphone, turn off notifications, and otherwise eliminate unnecessary distractions.

If valuable information is shared, make sure to record it. Whether you opt for handwritten notes, a file on your computer, or even capturing the audio can work as long as you can easily review it should the need arise.

The Inability to Say “No”

At times, people are overloaded at work because of poor time management. However, in others, genuinely being overtasked can happen.

When professionals end up with a bigger workload than they can handle, they usually place blame on someone else, like their manager. But, if you aren’t saying “no” when people ask if you can take the work on, you’re responsible too.

Now, most professionals can’t say “no” in every situation, and that’s okay. When circumstances allow, make sure to set proper boundaries. And, if you genuinely can’t fit the assignment into your schedule without sacrificing the quality of your work, say so. By focusing on the fact that the increase in your workload harms the results, others are more likely to accept your answer.

Ready to Build a Better Team? Call the Experts at The Armada Group!

Ultimately, any of the tendencies above can make you feel like you’re always putting out fires. Luckily, most are easy to remedy with a little effort and diligence. If you would like to learn more, the team at The Armada Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our staff members about your questions today and see how our workplace productivity and efficiency expertise can benefit you.

Every new year brings a new set of trends. After all, the business and tech worlds are continually evolving, and the points on the horizon often approach faster than many anticipate in the beginning.

In 2019, there are a few trends that tech pros should expect to encounter as the year moves forward. Here are the ones that deserve your attention.

Enterprise AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a trend for several years, though much of the attention fell on the consumer space. Options like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri are increasingly present in the daily lives of the masses but didn’t provide substantial value to many companies.

In 2019, expect an increased emphasis on enterprise-level AI. Advances in natural language processing mean more companies will integrate AI into customer support mechanisms and even certain internal resources. Similarly, the ability to automate a wider range of tasks should be anticipated as well as the chance to derive value from available data with greater ease.

More Custom Hardware

As once cutting-edge technologies become more affordable, companies integrate them at a faster rate. Custom hardware is one option that is becoming more financially viable, so businesses may explore opportunities to either develop solutions for internal use or for customers.

For example, the Amazon Dash Button concept – where a simple click of the button allowed a preset product to be ordered – could be extended into a variety of consumer experiences. Office-oriented products may also be on the horizon, allowing certain actions to be initiated with a button press, like reserving a conference room.

How it will manifest isn’t entirely clear. However, as companies have increased capacity to create custom hardware solutions, they opportunities will be easier to visualize.

Data Science Reimagined

Big Data has been a trending topic for years, but what companies expected and what they experienced often differed, leading to frustration. While many businesses initially accepted the limits without much complaint, that climate is changing.

While data scientists will continue to clarify what is and isn’t possible, companies are beginning to push for more. As a result, finding methods for overcoming barriers may become a priority, creating opportunities for technological advancement.

However, it also means that data scientists should expect pushback when they assert that a particular limit makes a request impossible. Instead of just accepting it as fact, organizations are going to want to understand the “why” behind the “no.” Then, they may rally against the restriction, expecting data scientists and other tech professionals to find a way to turn that “no” into a “yes.”

Let The Armada Group Bring Your Team Into The New Year!

Ultimately, 2019 is going to be an interesting year, particularly in the tech arena. If you would like to know more about the trends, the team at The Armada Group can help. Contact us with your questions today and see how our tech trends knowledge can benefit you this year and beyond.

The cloud has become a staple in the business world over recent years. Businesses across the country are increasingly embracing hybrid and multi-cloud environments, allowing them to create solutions that best meet their needs.

As a result, cloud data engineering has emerged as a profession with a significant amount of potential. Many of the jobs are incredibly lucrative. Plus, since you get to explore an emerging field, the work itself can be very engaging.

Even in times of low unemployment, bringing the right skills to the table is essential. You need to have a firm grasp on specific technologies, programming languages, frameworks, and more to thrive as a cloud data engineer.

What to Add to Your Cloud Data Engineering Resume

By acquiring the proper skills and displaying them prominently on your resume, you can stand out in the eyes of hiring managers. Cloud data engineering requires a highly developed skill set, so just one or two of the core skills aren’t typically sufficient if you want to focus your career in this direction.

If you want to advance in the field or take your first steps into this exciting specialty, here are the eight skills you need to add to your resume.

SQL

Python

Spark

Hadoop

Java

AWS

Scala

Kafka

Luckily, you have options when it comes to increasing your competency in these areas, so improving your skill set may be easier than you think.

How to Acquire Cloud Data Engineering Skills

While many developers and engineers likely possess at least a few of these skills, they may not have them all. To add the ones you need, you typically have three options: formal education or training, self-exploration, and on-the-job experience.

Formal education and training are usually the most straightforward approach. You can find classes that focus on cloud data engineering as a whole or explore courses that concentrate on a particular skill. In either case, it gives you a chance to increase your level of competency.

Alternatively, you can also gain the skills on your own. There are tons of free online resources, including webinars, blogs, and communities, that can give you viable approaches for adding the skill to your list of offerings. This approach can be ideal if your schedule is tight and you need something incredibly adaptable.

Finally, if you have a chance to join a project or have access to a mentor, you may be able to gain your skills on-the-job. Speak with your manager about opportunities that can allow you to learn or use these skills, giving you a chance to increase your knowledge while at work.

Ultimately, any of those options can help you enhance your resume, so explore them all until you have all of the skills you need to excel in the field of cloud data engineering.

Find Your New Contract Today!

If you’d like to learn more, the team at The Armada Group can help. Contact us with your questions or ask about our current openings in this exciting field today.

When you head into an interview, your goal is typically to make a great impression on the hiring manager. While many developers are well-intentioned when they share information, saying certain things during the meeting can cost you valuable opportunities. With that in mind, here are five things you should never say during an interview, even if the statements are true.

I Don’t Like…

During a meeting with a hiring manager, you should never say that there is a language, framework, or library you don’t like. While your intention may be to be honest about your preferences, you end up coming off as inflexible or that you may be unwilling to deviate from your usual routine or learn new technologies.

Additionally, in the eyes of the hiring manager, it automatically limits your potential and, subsequently, your value. They may fear that you wouldn’t be able or willing to take certain projects on, making you a less than ideal choice.

At My Last/Current Job, the Problem Was/Is…

Regardless of how your team or manager at your current or last job performed, bad-mouthing them during an interview is never a smart move. Even if what you are saying is true, you risk coming off as an ineffective collaborator and as a person with a poor attitude.

After Starting in This Role, I Want to Move Forward to…

Having ambition is rarely a bad thing. However, if you express a goal that is beyond the role that you are interviewing for and suggest that you want to get there fast, the hiring manager may consider this a red flag.

Ultimately, the hiring manager is concerned about filling a specific role, not the one above it. Even if you want to have opportunities to move forward, making it sound like it is a requirement or expectation that you be given a specific kind of project that is above that position, it suggests you aren’t ideal for the company’s current needs.

I Would Estimate That Amount to Be Around…

If you are faced with a question involving numbers, hedging your response isn’t a good choice. Phrases like “around,” “approximately,” or “about” suggest that you don’t know the right answer, which doesn’t make a positive impression if they are figures that you should be familiar with and work with consistently.

Unless the hiring manager requests an approximation, be specific with your numbers. Otherwise, you might not come off as competent as you actually are, and that can hurt your chances of landing the job.

I Don’t Know.

When you are asked a question and legitimately don’t know the answer, never end your response with “I don’t know.” Instead, make sure to add that you’ll find out or give the hiring manager a description of the actions you would take to get the answer.

Hiring managers don’t expect you to know everything. However, if you don’t follow up your “I don’t know” with something that shows you are willing to learn more and find the answer, they may doubt your commitment to doing what it takes to excel.

Want More Tips on How to Ace Your Job Interview?

Ultimately, it’s best to avoid all of the statements above during your developer interview, especially if you want to be seen as a top candidate for the role. If you’d like to know more about successful interviewing, the professionals at The Armada Group can help. Contact us to discuss your questions with one of our team members today and see how our interviewing expertise can benefit you.

Over recent years, the networking field has changed dramatically. Thanks to technology that has led many companies to shift away from on-premises infrastructure and servers, network administrators have to adapt if they want to achieve the highest salary possible.

While certain fundamental skills always provide value, new additions are also necessary if you want to reach the upper echelons of compensation. If you want to know which skills can help you achieve your goal, here are a few that should be on your radar.

Cloud Solutions

Since companies are increasingly relying on cloud solutions, network administrators need skills that align with the technology. Typically, cloud-based servers need to be integrated into the organization’s environment, requiring specific infrastructure changes and other adjustments to the overall approach to IT. Additionally, being able to effectively evaluate solutions to see if they can meet a company’s needs is similarly essential.

In many cases, earning a certification that covers networking and the cloud, such as the Cisco Certified Network Professional – Cloud certification, you can show that you have the proper skills to work in a cloud-oriented environment. This can help you stand out from other network administrators who may not have delved into the technology, increasing the odds that your salary offering will be highly competitive.

BYOD

While not every company embraces BYOD, many do. Network administrators need to know how to contend with employees’ personal devices and how to make sure that the network remains secure.

Often, this means familiarizing oneself with mobile device management (MDM) or similar platforms that provide the necessary protections and capabilities. This allows you to enforce user authentication requirements, remotely wipe missing devices to protect company systems and data, and separate personal and professional data and accounts.

As the workforce continues to become increasingly mobile, being prepared for BYOD and its related concerns can help you stand out. Plus, the skills are often beneficial even in companies that only support company-owned devices, as the approach to management is often similar, though less cumbersome.

Creativity and Flexibility

As the workplace evolves, the role of the network administrator shifts along with it. Without creativity and flexibility, you might not be viewed as a competent professional who is able to adapt when the need arises.

Similarly, creativity and problem-solving often go hand-in-hand. Network administrators have to deal with complex systems to ensure resiliency and the integrity of the network, and being able to solve problems effectively goes a long way in that regarding.

Are You Looking for Your Next Network Administrator Contract?

By possessing the skills above, you can increase your odds of achieving a top salary as a network administrator. If you’d like to learn more about how you can excel in the field or are seeking out new opportunities, the knowledgeable team at The Armada Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our industry specialists today and see how our network administration expertise can benefit your career.